Winter Warmers and Christmas Decorating Ideas

Christmas is one of the brightest holidays. Christmas unites family and makes people better I feel and at Christmas miracles can happen. And to feel the full spirit of celebration, invite it into your home right now. Worldwide preparation for Christmas begins in early/mid November. Streets, shops and windows of buildings are decorated with all sorts of Christmas lights, Christmas garlands and Christmas bells. The atmosphere is festive and warm. While the dynamics of everyday life and material problems have shifted the Christmas mood in the background, anyone can bring some light and serenity in the cold days and nights, carry the spirit of Christmas decorating at home a little earlier.  I hope any part of my cosy blog warms you up and gives you some great ideas and comfort!!

What a glorious setting, attention to detail pays to go a long way and in this lovely christmas interior setting how can you go wrong with traditional red and white.  If your lucky enough to have a fireplace in your dining room or area where your sitting for dinner it makes an extra focal point I think to decorate.  I would have a large mantel piece mirror just to reflect all the gorgeous items that have been placed everywhere. A mixture of materials go with the crisp white linen which brings out the glasses, candles, plates, and hanging decs...gotta love snowflakes and stars!!.  Add glittery sprinkles or delicate glass beads to finish.

On the left is a picture that I took whilst in Cambridge recently outside my favourite department store John Lewis. They have their Christmas window displays out for the public to see and what wonderful things I saw!!

You can buy online at www.johnlewis.co.uk and also have a look at further items for ideas.  I loved the fact that everything was red and white but they really did cater for all styles and likes.  I love the knitted decs which are available in a variety of patterns and would look great on a lovely green spruce.

SNOWBALLS!

Icicle white and crisp clean tones, try and have lots of hanging decorations, they dont all fit on the tree so maybe make a mobile to incorporate the themed setting.  Loving the reindeer and polar bears which seem to be very popular this year I've noticed.

 Another fav of mine is to not forget about table settings and I think this is such a great idea of using cones and baubles together as you dont always have to fill vases up with beads or gems to the bottom of your flower display.  You can spray the cones gold or silver , red or black whatever your theme and I think being a little different from the norm will be a real eye catcher and great center piece in any room over christmas.  Will have a go of this myself.

Ribbons, lace, velvet, silk, satin......whatever you get your hands on to decorate your perfect wrapping be sure to have lots of it.  I like hanging my xmas cards on them and showing them off.  when it comes to my personal style of wrapping I like to practise doing bows.  Infact I could wrap all day as I find it like a little project and must have the perfect finishing touches !!( Plug for Sarah).

Whatever you do enjoy your decorating this winter it'll make you feel like you've achieved a great sense of welbeing and cosyness, your home, your style xxx.

Cath Kidston's collection of lovely accessories

Add some beautiful florals to your bathroom with the new Antique Rose Bouquet towelling. Made from soft fluffy cotton, with a pretty pink and green printed design. This pretty bath sheet is ideal for wrapping up after a warm bath and there are other matching items available too.  Also available in Bath Towel, Hand Towel, Face Cloth, Bath Robe, Cushions, Duvet Covers, Pillowcases & Eiderdown.  This bath sheet costs £42.

Cath Kidston does a beautiful collection of toilitries , soaps, creams, lotions etc. The above soap is so pretty in it's soap dish and with the pink bow any bathroom would look truly pretty.

Loving this Cath kidston print of ditsy flowers on a chair from Ikea, it looks fab and goes with any other collection of chairs and dining accessories.  The cat seems to look comfy, maybe you can cover your pets bedding too!! It'll look amazing.  You can buy any material from Cath Kidston online or in any store by the metre.

Buy this hardback book from Amazon.co.uk for £7.50 if you love Cath Kidston everything and want to bring it into your home and everyday life, it's a must have for fans, I love it.

Cath Kidston explains her love and passion for print as an interior designer and that's exactly what this book provides.  A collection of prints and names and ideas to create them in your home, what couldn't be better!  £15.99 from any good book stores.

Room envy with gorgeous cushions this autumn

Cushions are an incredibly easy and cost effective way to update your home. I love the new collection of funky cushions that are available in the shops for this autumn winter 2011.  Whatever your colour scheme there is a cushion for you out there.  Here are a few of my favourites for you to see and maybe go purchase!

http://www.belleandboo.com cotton hand-finished cushions featuring the Belle & Boo original prints and finished with hand-embroidery. The cushions have separate duck feather inserts and a removable cover that has an overlapping section at the back and is fastened with a contrasting pretty ribbon.  Belle and Boo's cushion are so pretty and cost £43 each.

The above cushion is from Laura Ashley. I love the individual teacups and all the differents patterns and detailed embroidary stitched into this charming design, The Dorothy applique cotton cushion £20.

Renate cushion from Ikea is one of my likes at the moment, one being my favourite colour and what with the bold pattern it sets off my passion for interior fashion.This cotton satin cushion will give your living room some added kookiness. It also has a zip cover so it can be easily washed.  Renate cushion, £19.99, IKEA

BHS have a cool collection of monarchy cushions at the moment and this cushion is great as a stamp.  

Next always have a fantastic range of cushions to choose from, so many colours and styles and sizes. These teal mongolian wool cushions are divine and so lush.  Scatter your sofa with them and just dive in as they are amazing to feel as well as to look at and touch!!!  Loving the colour teal too, why not match some blankets and throws whilst your at it.

Dunelms have this modern yet different cushion with it's great print of a old fashion type phone, and I love it in bright red.  Would go in any bold or minimal room with a difference dont you think.

TU at Sainsbury's always show that they have a modern yet stylish arrange of cushions in store.  The one above is a typical leaf embroided design with velvet and jewelled leaf applied styled finish.  Great prices at  £10 per cushion means more to buy and more cushions on your sofa, it'll look gorgeous!!!  Plus if you love leaf designs it'll be a great time to redo your lounge being autumn and envoke the natural side of  this time of year into our homes.

Fabric and wallpaper looks for autumn/winter 2011

Add some statement style to your home with vibrant patterns and daring prints.
(Left to right): Hanna Werning 1303, 53cm wide, £45 for a 10m roll, Boråstapeter at Cole & Son; Komodo W6300/01 in Black Emerald, 52cm wide, £92 for a 10m roll, Osborne & Little; Amrapali F1840/01 in Peony, linen, 140cm wide, £79m, Designers Guild; Gosford, linen mix, 137cm wide, £30m, Laura Ashley; Enter the Dragons 2099/01, linen, 135cm wide, £79m, Jim Thompson. Victorian carved giltwood frame, £1,700, Lassco 

The soothing circles creates a cooling atmosphere with this wallpaper from Harliquin. Would suit any bedroom or even kitchen to create a perfect ambience.

Osborne and Little have created a wallpaper with Swarovski cyrstal pieces on there design which I personally love.  It's looks plain but I bet when up close it looks and feels amazing to touch.  It costs £31 a roll and comes in lots of colours.

This berry and and leaf dsign is from Sanderson, another favourite of mine.  Great colours for this time of year especially in the lounge or a bigger bedroom.  It'll create warmth and a grand impression when added and if you love this look I'm sure there are plenty to accessorize with.

Miss print is a  small east London company producing fabrics and wallpapers silk screen printed by hand.  And because of the bespoke nature of the items there is a greater choice of designs and colours, and the flexibility to co-ordinate with any interior or home environment.

Kitty Wonderland Hello Kitty Print Tana Lawn from the Liberty Loves Hello Kitty collaboration with Liberty Art Fabrics

Kitty Wonderland depicts Kitty's fantasy land with all her favourite toys.

Utility Rooms- My top decorating tips

Sick of the sight of your washing machine? Why not get the kids to help decorate it with removable stickers? It will add instant colour to a dull space and look great at the same time. I love the red spray of flowers added to the silver washing machine, and i'm sure there are other patterns you could choose from.  Have a look at www.designersguild.co.uk for other stickers for ideas.

Pretty country laundry rooms. Make the most of a small space with a country style sink, and built-in shelving for cleaning products. Floral pictures and tongue-and-groove panelling keep the look pretty.  Either keep it white or make it a pretty vintage pink with shabby chic bottles and beautiful jugs.  Old fashion taps would complete the whole look creating a wonderful atmosphere to be in when doing the laundry - enjoy enjoy!!

Inject some colour into your laundry room like pink by choosing one tone and picking out complimentary accessories - this pretty pink shade isn't too over whelming thanks to the deep raspberry towels and a floral ironing board.  Whether it be towels blankets throws or linen, they'll look totally gorgeous by colour coordinating them throughout the unit.  Baskets and boxes can be used to hideaway all those bottles and sprays.  I love love love the ironing board cover, it's so lush and works lovely with the rest of the room you just wouldn't want to hide it away would you.  Display and show how proud you are of your special utility area!!!

Get organised in your utility room, especially if space is tight. Fit shelves above the sink for storing vases and keep taller flower buckets in the cupboards underneath.  Utility rooms don't have to be dull. Add interest with a bright blind in a graphic print. The blind fabric is Connections in Chilli, John Lewis.

Go for an all-purpose storage unit where you can if free standing. When it comes to housing a utility room sink, a large open storage unit is ideal. With extra worktop space, hidden storage and shelves, you'll have plenty of room to get your jobs done, all the while keep your cleaning products and laundry essentials close by. A great look for all those stunning accessories near by and on display.  The tap is a fav of mine too, that's on my list of items to get eventually for my kitchen.  Especially good for utility rooms as once pulled out you can move the tap around to suit you instead of  having the awkwardness of squeezing it in the bowl to get the water.  Have a good look in Ikea is my best advice.  www.ikea.co.uk

Anodised aluminium shelves are great for storing laundry products. Make them unique by personalising them with paint.

It's all white with the best all white kitchens

Nothing is more chic than white interiors, and I've come up with an array of themed white kitchens. From minimal kitchens to country kitchens, here’s how to add personality to all-white.  An all-white kitchen can be brightened up with subtle pops of colour. Crockery and accessories in bold lime green or hot pink will inject some life into the room without spoiling the overall theme.  Love the white shelves, I have some like that in my kitchen and I display my favourite pieces for people to see.

If you want to go all-out with all-white, the minimal look is your best option. Clean and sleek, this kitchen positively glistens, while pink flowers on a table add some character. I love the blue and white stencil for an effective background display of jugs and plates, just brilliant!.  Just goes to show how effective by adding block colours or items sets of the whole theme of the room.  Place some bright pieces of fruit in bowls or arrange them on the work tops so they set of a great contrast.

A piercing shade of lemon is used with restraint on the kitchen stools to bring dazzling sunshine into a room without it hurting the eyes. The combination with white and blonde wood is fresh and clean.  Letting lots of light into the kitchen will bounce off the white interior opening the illusion of space if needed.

Pastel shades of pink and yellow can look modern when used with plenty of crisp white. I wouldn't go too overboard as the simplicity would disappear. Alot of people seem to be going away from cupboard units and are having the freestanding units and centre island with built in storage and drawer space.  I like the idea above of sitting at the worktop space and being able to socialize and eat at the same time. Im a big fan of white and this a great idea.

The white wooden cupboards make it a very modern yet homely kitchen design I feel. If you love cooking and accessories then why not have them out to display with proudness for everyone to see. They'll look gorgeous whatever colour they are against the blank canvas behind.  A bit of your personal character put into your kitchen is what makes it a great place to be in, to be around , and to change around as much as you like.  Maybe one season colour coded and the next with bold patterns and shapes.  The world is your oyster with a white kitchen so enjoy whatever you do with it...and dont forget to love it!!!

Barn conversions luxury interiors full of character

Oh my days......what I wouldn't give to have a place like this!!!!! Okay, so maybe this luxury barn is more than anyone should expect, but the owners have transformed a traditional living space into a dream property with modern features like a hidden 10ft project screen cinema, central sound server distributing sound to each room in the home, CCTV security and recording, fully computerised lighting system with ''mood changing'', secure remote access to control and monitor the barn from anywhere in the world, Creston control system, iPod and iTunes integration into the home audio system and a house ON and OFF feature that allows the owner to turn the entire house on and off from a single button including the lights, tv's and other appliances. Just utterly breathtaking.

Just look at this space for the staircases and landing inside.  I'm a great lover of quality wood finishings and grand stairscases,  what with the open space inside these converted barns it's so intriguing to see where they go to, where does it lead?? Very exciting.  I also love the idea of looking over the banisters to below where the views of either kitchen or sitting room is taking place.  Space creates calm and personal fulfilment to achieve  the perfect atmosphere and it certainly does in these pictures.  Beams beams beams they're so beautifully english and cosy!!!  Keep everything neutral for the effect of further space.  As for the high ceilings and amzing looking beams, just sit back and enjoy the view....what more can I say.

The kitchen should be gorgeous when you have space to play with like this.  No expense should be spared on the kitchen, very important to have such quality looking units and flooring.  I like to see the original wooden beams in here which sets off the overall look i feel.  Modern stainless steel appliances and open space as much as possible is a plus point.  Centre islands and all the very best mods cons you can think of.  Love the charcoal granite flooring too which blends in so nicely with the granite worktops.  Kitchens are the heart of the home for me, a social, loving, personal space to share with friends and family.

Whether it be brick, wood, or whatever material you choose to have exterior to build your home, first appearances do count.

So whether you have the kinda money to build, buy or restore, I definitley would having the chance to create your own home, your life, your space to share to own and to create a project that you can be reminded of for many years to come and something which you can be proud of every day when you wake up and walk around and say......yes I love my home xxxxx.  If you have read this and feel the same then you must know what i'm talking about, must be so satisfying to do and yet so rewarding.  And at the end of the day, most importantly of all .................look absolutely fabulous !!!

Home collections on the High Street Autumn/Winter 2011

John Lewis,  Designer's Guild Charlottenburg Duvet Cover, Pink.                                                                   
A bold print duvet cover from Designers Guild featuring a vibrant, large-scale pink and green peony design on a fresh white background. Made from 100% cotton, this 200 thread count percale fabric is beautifully soft. The reverse has a co-ordinating stripe in pink, white and green, offering a stunning contrast to layer your bed.

 

Ok we have a proper little miss bedroom here.
This gorgeously girly duvet cover is a patchwork collection of pretty polka dots and flower buds in bloom. The broad bands of contrasting pattern and colour are sure to raise your spirits, not to mention the bursts of neon pink and baby blue. Cosy, cute and undeniably cheerful, this design cannot fail to make you feel at home and snug in your bed. I love the roses mat working against the rest of the rooms patterns and styles. This is also available from John Lewis. my fav department store ever.





We move onto Matalan, another fav of mine for gorge accessories and homeware. These are a practical contemporary storage space for all your magazines brochures and news papers. This Basket style magazine rack is a stylish addition to any room. Check out the rest of autumn leaf storage range for a perfect coordinated storage solution. 

I love the style of these and they would look lovely in a living room with a lovely autuminal feel to it with its leaf pattern.








The below is a great storage unit with subtle leaf print design. Easily access open handle drawers are great for clothing bedding clothes or create a home office or filing system with real style. 

The square boxes can be stacked or arranged either way and look fabulous.  Lets not forget that these prices are affordable and makes it easier for us all to buy the whole range.

          

Decorate your home with H&M this autumn with cosy cushions and throws in different colours and qualities! May I suggest shiny materials and velvet or graphic prints and harmonizing earth colours? Make it warm and cosy and look inviting and comfortable so that friends and family feel like they never want to leave. Sit infront of that blazing fireplace with your hot drinks MMmmmmm.